Short report from Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers about situation in Southern China Area: 11th Army: South of Wuchang units of the 11th Army together with 13th Army managed to encircle enemy force trying to capture Kiukiang. Enemy units are pushed against the river in a swamps without possibility of supply. 13th Army: Major operations of this army led to clearing up considerable area in southern China with the help from 11th and 23rd Army. It also managed to turn enemy attempt to capture Nanchang. 23rd Army: This army faced two major thrusts - against Swatow and Amoy. With help of the 38th Division both were turned back. Vietnam: Chinese forces penetrated into Vietnam territory - forcing the creation of 3 Vietnamese Militia Divisions. While of limited combat ability, they will certainly help to keep enemy intruders at bay.

Picture: Approximate front lines and enemy concentrations in South China as well as 13th Army offensive and 23rd Army defensive operations

Today 6 of the 64th Sentai Hayabusas were sent along as escort for 7 army type 99 bombers to bomb retreating enemy forces at Sumatra. In a cloudy and stormy sky it was decided to fly low - at 6000ft. In heavy rains it was not an easy task to find retreating enemy columns on jungle trails, but with the help of pursuing ground troops of the 2nd Division it was possible to release bombs in the vicinity of the target. All had probably missed as the ground troops didn't reported any bodies on the ground. But at least it had forced Dutch troops to take cover and slowed their retreat.

Short report from Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers about situation in Burma: 33rd Army had encountered strong enemy position at Moulmein and is currently waiting for reinforcements to catch up the advancing columns to put decisive pressure on enemy. Meantime Victoria Point and Tavoy had been occupied. Our recon planes also reported a buildup of enemy forces on Andaman Islands. Several air raids were sent against the islands, but otherwise situation in Burma theater is a quiet one.

Short report from Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers about situation in Malaya: Our 25th Army is steadily advancing from its initial landing sites in north Malaya towards south. Fighting their way not only through enemy forces, but also through jungles Imperial HQ announced that forward units reached vicinity of Johore Bahru - southernmost point on Malaya peninsula. Other elements under direct command of Southern Expeditionary army occupied northern Borneo with its important oil center at Brunei.

Picture: Initial landings and subsequent advances of IJA units in Malaya and N.Borneo

On this day both parts of the 64th Sentai had seen some action - 1st Chutai sent 3 of their Hayabusas to escort 7 Army type 99 bombers to attack Dutch forces retreating north on Sumatra while 3rd Chutai repeated their visit over Batavia. Sole Dutch Curtiss fighter was spotted in the air, vigorously pursued and shot down by 2nd Lt. Hirabayashi. Airfields near Batavia were mostly empty with only several wrecked planes and mostly what seemed to be abandoned positions and buildings. It is probable that Dutch, realizing the situation they were in decided to make a last stand at Sorebaya.

64th Sentai welcomed several new pilots in their ranks - men of the 50th Sentai. Eight of them were sent to 64th Sentai partially to fill for vacant positions in the 1st Chutai and partially to be trained on Hayabusas so they can pass their skills on new pilots. As enemy air forces had disappeared from the skies of Philippines, it was decided that one of the two army fighter Sentais would be used to train new pupils in the Akeno Army Flying School in advanced combat training while second one will continue to provide fighter support for ongoing operations. Thus pilots from the 50th Sentai were distributed to 64th, 59th and 11th Sentais flying Hayabusas. Of the eight pilots four were gone after two weeks of familiarization flights and combat training over southern Sumatra. Other four pilots were destined to be written in the 64th Sentai combat history: WO Miyazaki, WO Anabuki, WO Hoshikura and WO Sasaki.

Short report from Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers about situation in Sumatra: Units of the 2nd Division of 16th Army had occupied southern Sumatra with its rich oilfields. After vicious air activity on the first days after invasion the situation became a calm one - Dutch ground forces are retreating north being pursued by our Army, while western Java was subject to several air raids by already famous 64th Sentai under command of Col.Kato driving enemy air forces to the eastern part of Java.

Short report from Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers about situation in 3rd Fleet area: After defeating strong enemy task force in vicinity of Palau islands, it was easier for our forces to advance uncontested. So far, our progress in this area has been steady and our forward troops recently captured Kendari - advanced base on southern Celebes. Other flank of the advance is currently knocking on the doors of Ambon. It is also obvious that enemy is trying to use island of Timor as stronghold to shield the North Australia.

3rd Chutai went to revisit Batavia in full strength in case enemy had brought in any reinforcements. Flying through severe storms they had not spotted any sign of air or ground activity. Port of Batavia also appeared empty except native fishing vessels.

Short report from Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers about situation in Southeast Area Fleet: Troops of Imperial Japanese Army with strong elements of our Navy managed to capture the most important strategic objectives in this area in first days of January - Rabaul and Port Moresby. Rabaul, being best port far-and-near and enough room to grow, located on the island of New Britain is one of the best strategically located bases in this part of the world. Located on the southern coast of New Guinea, Port Moresby had potential to become the strongest enemy position to check our advance and a constant threat to Rabaul. In our hands it had become part of our main defensive perimeter covered by many inter-locking bases in the Solomon Sea. Enemy forces present in Port Moresby had retreated northward to Buna in hope of escaping - but the constant presence of our Army-Navy forces in the area this would only result in further enemy losses.

As no combat mission was to be flown on this day and weather was not very friendly to flying operations with fog and low clouds, some spare time was taken by units based on Palembang Airfield. A football tournament was hastily organized with three teams participating: 2nd Infantry Division, 64th Sentai and 82nd I.F.Chutai. Victory went to the light bomber unit, but all participants and spectators enjoyed the day out-and-out.

Two of the pilots, wounded while serving with the 64th, returned on this day to flying duties: W/O Ishimori - WIA on 27th December 1941 - after being shot down by enemy fighter returning back from Singapore and rescued the next day by patrol boat spent three weeks in army hospital in Saigon recuperating arrived by courier plane. W/O Agawa - WIA on 6th January 1942 - after being hit by several bomb fragments at Palembang returned from the 2nd Division field hospital at Palembang with several bandages around his chest, but a big smile on his face.

Well it is kind of a tricky and lot of guess work. Tracking each pilot if he had sortied each turn would be time consuming. So instead I rely on WITP Tracker. I am basically tracking:

Fortunately we have several well known pilots in the 64th Sentai now, so for several future turns we will give some informations on them as nothing combat-related is happening around Palembang. For the men of the 64th Sentai this can almost be considered as holidays - a lot of sun, palms and beaches not far away

Born in 1916 in Shimana prefecture, entered army in December 1936 and served with 6th Rentai in Pyongyang in Korea. He wanted to be a pilot and later entered 84th NCO Cadet course and graduated in June 1940. He was assigned to serve in 64th Sentai in Dongjingcheng, Manchuria, where he was assigned to 3rd Chutai. In January 1941, the unit was reassigned to China and later, at the end of the year to Southeast Asia. Japanese Army Air Force Units and Their Aces, 1931-1945 by Ikuhiko Hata,Yashuho Izawa,Christopher Shores

So far he had demonstrated an eye for the enemy by shooting down one Martin 139WH-3 on 5th January 1942 over Palembang as a member of a Sentai staff flight.

Shogo Takeuchi was born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1918, subsequently graduating from the Army Flying Military Academy with the 52nd entry of cadets in September 1939. He showed early promise as a fighter pilot, possessing both courage and good marksmanship. Japanese Army Fighter Aces: 1931-45 by Ikuhiko Hata,Yashuho Izawa,Christopher Shores

He took command of the 1st Chutai of the 64th Sentai, taking part in the opening phases of the Pacific War under quidance of Lt.Col. Tateo Kato and alongside Capt. Katsumi Anma (leading 2nd Chutai). Since the start of war he had flown more than 50 missions, but due to scarce contact with enemy aircraft his claims are limited to one Martin 139WH-3 shot down over Palembang on 5 January 1942.

Born in 1919 in Tokushima Prefecture, Hinoki graduated from 53rd intake of the Army Flying Military Academy in June 1940. He joined the 64th Sentai at Dongjingcheng in November 1940, where he received intensive training from Capt. Iori Sakai, the 2nd Chutai leader. In February 1941 the unit moved to Canton, and from December participated in the fighting over South-East Asia. Japanese Army Fighter Aces: 1931-45 by Ikuhiko Hata,Yashuho Izawa,Christopher Shores

Hinoki's first combat occured over Kota Bharu, Malaya, on 8 Deccember 1941 when he claimed the destruction of Brewster Buffalo flying as leader of 2nd shotai of the 1st Chutai.

Takeshi Shimizu joined the Army, serving initially with the 12th Flying Daitai in Manchuria as ground staff. Born in 1915 in Toyama Prefecture, he was accepted for pilot training with the 59th NCO Cadet course, graduating in November 1936. After fighter training at Akeno, he was retained there as an instructor until June 1939, when he was posted to the 64th Sentai's 1st Chutai. During Nomohan incident, he was involved from 20 August-15 September as the second pilot in the chutai leader's section, claiming three destroyed and one probable. Promoted to Wt/Off in December 1939, he moved with the unit to southern China. Japanese Army Fighter Aces: 1931-45 by Ikuhiko Hata,Yashuho Izawa,Christopher Shores

Currently flying as number 3 of the 2nd Shotai of the 1st Chutai, he had flown 38 combat missions, but due to scarcity of targets he is still waiting for his first kill.

The son of farming parents, Anabuki was born 1921, and soon expressed love for flying. He first joined the Army Youth Preparatory Flight Programme and entered the Tokyo Army Aviation School in April 1938. He received further training at Kumagaya and Tachiarai, and upon the completion of courses here in March 1941, was assigned to 3rd Chutai of the 50th Sentai on Formosa in July. Japanese Army Air Force Aces 1937-45 by Henry Sakaida

Participating in air operations over Philippines from the start of war he had flown 55 combat missions so far, but without seeing enemy airplane as his unit was mainly tasked with protection of landing beaches and navy transports off-shore. Nevertheless he showed great talent in aerobatics, so he was ordered to join the elite 64th Sentai at Palembang and master the new Army Type 1 Fighter (Hayabusa) fighter. Arriving mid-january he was assigned to fly in as number 3 in 3rd Shotai of the 1st Chutai.

Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1914, Katsumi Anma was the son of a dentist. He graduated from the First Aichi Middle School, then entering the Juvenile Army Military Academy in April 1932 He graduated from the Army Military Academy in June 1936 and in October was promoted to Flying 2nd Lieutenant. During spring 1938 he was posted to the Kato Chutai in the 2nd Daitai in China, engaging in his first combat as the third pilot in Capt. Mitsugu Sawada's element on 20 May 1938 when he claimed an I-15 over Lanfeng. In July 1969 the 64th Sentai - which the unit had now become - was ordered to the Mongolian-Manchurian border area, arriving at Hosiu airfield on 15 August. Here he led the third element of the 1st chutai; the pilots of this element claimed eight victories over the Khalka River on 20 August. Anma was to undertake 40 sorties during the Nomohan Incident, participating in more than ten engagements and claiming three and two probables. During this period the chutai lost three veteran pilots and Anma's own Ki-27 was hit 20 times. On 21 August it received 11 of these hits after he had claimed a victory, and when he reached base his aircraft was considered to have been half destroyed. During the first half of 1940 he attended the commander's course at Akeno, passing out top of his intake. He then returned to the 64th Sentai where in August 1940 he was promoted Captain and given command of the 2nd Chutai. He provided much assistance to Major Tateo Kato when the latter took command of the Sentai. Japanese Army Fighter Aces: 1931-45 by Ikuhiko Hata,Yashuho Izawa,Christopher ShoresNote: In fact he led 3rd Chutai of the 64th Sentai

During his period of leadership, the 2nd Chutai suffered no losses during the opening weeks of Pacific War. He personally claimed two certain air victories - a Brewster Buffalo on 7 december 1941 over Kota Bharu and Martin 139WH-3 on 5 january 1942 over Palembang.

Sokochi Ohmori was born in Fukushima Prefecture, entered the army and in 1940 finished Kumagaya Flying School with 82nd NCO Cadet intake. Upon graduation he was assigned to 2nd Chutai of the 64th Sentai, then in Canton. Japanese Army Air Force Units and Their Aces, 1931-1945 by Ikuhiko Hata,Yashuho Izawa,Christopher Shores

So far he is credited with single Martin 139WH-3 shot down on 5th January 1942 over Palembang, Sumatra.

Maj. Akiba, Chikashi (a non flying leader of 3rd Chutai) Born in 1917 in Iwate Prefecture to a miner family he soon developed interest in Flying. He entered Army Flying Military Academy with 50th intake and graduated as fifth best in 1938. He was later assigned to 64th Sentai based in Yungcheng, northern China.

quote:

On 29 April 1939 (Japanese Emperor Hirohito's birthday), seven Japanese Army Type 97 (Ki-27) fighters from the 3rd chutai of the 64th Sentai conducted a fighter sweep from Tuncheng against the Chinese Airfield at Nancheng. The 29th PS scrambled six I-15bis. In the ensuing melee Major Takeji Harada (Sho-2) was killed and 2nd Lt. Akiba crashed his plane upon landing. With severe wounds he was transferred to hospital and later back to Japan. The Japanese fighters returned claiming 11 shot down against a reported 20 plus I-15bis for the loss of two fighters (Harada and Akiba). Made up from http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/sino-japanese-1939.htm

After recuperation and having lost his right hand he was not fit for combat duty, but managed to obtain staff position back in the 64th Sentai. When Cpt. Goro Suzuki was reassigned in September 1940, well liked Akiba took over 3rd Chutai as administrative leader, while 1st Lt. Ishikawa leads the Chutai into combat. Major Akiba, despite the loss of his arm is an enjoyable companion on whatever takes place in the 64th Sentai - especially when practical jokes are considered and from time to time enjoys the flying with fellow pilots on non-combat missions usually using staff Army Type 97 courier plane.

Note: preceding paragraphs were made up and has nothing to do with reality.